Gaming Method And Gaming Machine Accepting Side Bet

ABSTRACT

A playing method of a card game according to the present invention comprises the steps of: (a) placing a side BET different from a normal BET; (b) dealing cards to a player; (c) placing cards on a table; (d) determining whether or not the side BET is placed; (e) adding a card on the table when determining that the side BET is placed; and (f) making a hand by using the cards dealt to the player and the cards placed on the table.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit of priority based on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/907,017 filed on Mar. 16, 2007. The contents of this application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a gaming method and a gaming machine accepting side BETs.

2. Discussion of the Background

Conventionally, there have been gaming machines capable of accepting side BETs different from normal BETs. For example, in blackjack, when an upcard is an “A” card out of dealer's two cards, a player can place a side BET called insurance, in addition to a normal BET. In a case of placing insurance, the player adds the wager by half of an initial wager. When the dealer's hand is “Natural 21”, the amount twice the value of the side BET (insurance) is paid out. Further, for example, in Caribbean stud porker, a side BET is cumulatively accumulated as a progressive jackpot. When a player places a side BET in addition to an ante (a normal BET), he or she can acquire a part of or the entire progressive jackpot, according to the established hand. A game capable of accepting side BETs of this kind is disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,789,801, U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,525 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,874,786.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a gaming method and a gaming machine capable of accepting side BETs, thus exhibiting new entertainment.

The contents of U.S. Pat. No. 6,789,801, U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,525 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,874,786 are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a playing method of a card game having the following structure.

Namely, the above-mentioned playing method of a card game comprising the steps of: (a) placing a side BET different from a normal BET; (b) dealing cards to a player; (c) placing cards on a table; (d) determining whether or not the side BET is placed; (e) adding a card on the table, when determining that the side BET is placed; and (f) making a hand by using the cards dealt to the player and the cards placed on the table.

According to a second aspect, of the present invention, there is provided a playing method of a card game having the following structures.

Namely, the above-mentioned playing method of a card game comprising the steps of: (a) placing a side BET different from a normal BET; (b) cumulatively accumulating a predetermined ratio of a side-BET currency value; (c) dealing cards to a player; (d) placing cards on a table; (e) determining whether or not the side BET is placed; (f) adding a card on the table, when determining that the side BET is placed; (g) making a hand by using the cards dealt to the player and the cards placed on the table; and (h) providing an award from the cumulatively accumulated currency value, based on the hand made in the step (g).

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a playing method of a card game having the following structures.

Namely, the above-mentioned playing method of a card game comprising the steps of: (a) placing a normal BET; (b) placing a side BET different from the normal BET; (c) dealing cards to a player; (d) placing cards on a table; (e) providing an award based on a strongest hand and the normal BET, when the strength of the strongest hand, which is makable by using the cards dealt to the player and the cards placed on the table in the step (d), is as strong as a predetermined strength or stronger than the predetermined strength; (f) determining whether or not the side BET is placed; (g) adding a card on the table, when the strength of the strongest hand, which is makable by using the cards dealt to the player and the cards placed on the table in the step (d), is weaker than the predetermined strength and it is determined that the side BET is placed; (h) making a hand by using the cards dealt to the player and the cards placed on the table; and (i) providing an award, based on the hand made in the step (h) and the side BET.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine having the following structures.

Namely, the gaming machine comprising: a display capable of displaying a plurality of cards; an input device; and a controller. The controller is programmed to conduct the processing of: (a) accepting a side BET different from a normal BET, from the input device; (b) displaying player's cards, which are cards dealt to a player, to the display; (c) displaying community cards, which are cards placed on a table, to the display; (d) determining whether or not the side BET is placed; (e) displaying an additional community card to the display, when determining that the side BET is placed; and (f) making a hand by using the player's cards and the community cards including the card added in the processing (e).

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine having the following structures.

Namely, the gaming machine comprising: a display capable of displaying a plurality of cards; an input device; and a controller. The controller is programmed to conduct the processing of: (a) accepting a side BET different from a normal BET, from the input device; (b) cumulatively accumulating a predetermined ratio of a side-BET currency value; (c) displaying player's cards, which are cards dealt to a player, to the display; (d) displaying community cards, which are cards placed on a table, to the display; (e) determining whether or not the side BET is placed; (f) displaying an additional community card to the display, when determining that the side BET is placed; (g) making a hand by using the player's cards and the community cards including the card added in the processing (f); and (h) providing an award from the cumulatively accumulated currency value, based on the hand made in the processing (g).

According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gaming machine having the following structures.

Namely, the gaming machine comprising: a display capable of displaying a plurality of cards; an input device; and a controller. The controller is programmed to conduct the processing of: (a) accepting a normal BET from the input device; (b) accepting a side BET different from the normal BET, from the input device; (c) displaying player's cards, which are cards dealt to a player, to the display; (d) displaying community cards, which are cards placed on a table, to the display; (e) providing an award based on a strongest hand and the normal BET, when the strength of the strongest hand, which is makable by using the player's cards and the community cards, is as strong as a predetermined strength or stronger than the predetermined strength; (f) determining whether or not the side BET is placed; (g) displaying an additional community card to the display, when the strength of the strongest hand, which is makable by using the player's cards and the community cards, is weaker than the predetermined strength and it is determined that the side BET is placed; (h) making a hand by using the player's cards and the community cards including the card added in the processing (g); and (i) providing an award, based on the hand made in the processing (h) and the side BET.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a flow chart illustrating main-control-portion-side processing conducted in a main control portion included in a gaming machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is another flow chart illustrating main-control-portion-side processing conducted in the main control portion included in the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the external structure of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the external structure of a station included in a gaming machine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating an exemplary image which is displayed to a front display included in a gaming machine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is another view illustrating an exemplary image which is displayed to a front display included in a gaming machine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating an exemplary image which is displayed to a liquid crystal display included in a station according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the internal structure of a gaming machine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating the internal structure of a station included in a gaming machine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9A is a flow chart illustrating a subroutine of station-side processing conducted in a station according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9B is another flow chart illustrating a subroutine of station-side processing conducted in the station according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating a subroutine of selection acceptance processing conducted in a station according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 11A is a flowchart illustrating main-control-portion-side processing conducted in a main control portion included in a gaming machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11B is another flowchart illustrating the main-control-portion-side processing executed in the main control portion included in the gaming machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a view illustrating an exemplary image which is displayed to a front display included in a gaming machine according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is another view illustrating an exemplary image which is displayed to a front display included in a gaming machine according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a view illustrating an exemplary image which is displayed to a liquid crystal display included in a station according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 15A is a flow chart illustrating a subroutine of station-side processing conducted in a station according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 15B is another flow chart illustrating a subroutine of station-side processing conducted in the station according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart illustrating a subroutine of BET selection acceptance processing executed in a station according to the second embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

There will be described an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

In a card game in the present invention, cards are placed on a table while cards are dealt to a player, and on condition that a side BET has been placed, a card is added on the table, to make a hand by using the cards dealt to the player and the cards placed on the table including the additional card.

First Embodiment

In the first embodiment, Let It Ride is played. First, the rule of Let It Ride is described.

In Let It Ride, one set of playing cards (52 cards) excluding a joker is used.

First, each player BETs chips of the same amount on three places (the amounts may vary among players).

A dealer places two cards facing down on the table while dealing three cards to each player. Each player looks at his or her dealt cards (hereinafter also referred to as “player's cards”) and chooses whether to pull down the chip BET on one place out of the chips BET on the three places (hereinafter also referred to as “pull it down”) or to let the chip ride (hereinafter also referred to as “let it ride”). When the player pulls it down, the chip BET on one place is paid back to the player.

Next, the dealer opens one of the cards placed on the table (hereinafter also referred to as “community cards”). Each player again chooses whether to pull it down or let it ride. Subsequently, the dealer opens the one remaining community card, and offers a payout to each player according to a hand established by the total of five cards: the two community cards and the three player's cards.

It is to be noted that examples of the hands made in Let It Ride include, in decreasing order of strength, Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, One Pair, and No Pair.

In the first embodiment, a normal BET and a side BET are accepted in a game of Let It Ride. Here, a normal BET is a BET placed on a game of Let It Ride, while a side BET is a BET placed in order to add a card to the community cards in the game of Let It Ride. A predetermined ratio (50% in the present embodiment) of a side-BET currency value is cumulatively accumulated as a jackpot (hereinafter also referred to as “JP”). When the strength of a strongest hand, which is makable in the game of Let It Ride, is weaker than a predetermined strength (in the present embodiment, One Pair of “10”s), one card is added to the community cards, on condition that the side BET is placed. Then the strongest hand, which is makable by using the player's cards and the community cards including the added card, is determined, and a JP is offered according to the strongest hand.

FIGS. 1A and 1B are flow charts illustrating main-control-portion-side processing conducted in a main control portion included in a gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

First, there will be described processing conducted in the main control portion 40 (see FIG. 7) included in the gaming machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, in step S101 in FIG. 1A, the CPU 41 receives BET information from the station 3 (see FIG. 2). The BET information relates to BETs and includes information about whether or not a normal BET and a side BET are placed and the values of the normal BET and the side BET.

Next, in step S102, the CPU 41 cumulatively stores 50% of a side-BET credit as a JP in a RAM 42 (see FIG. 7) based on the BET information received in step S101. Further, the CPU 41 stores credits normal-BET by each player into the RAM 42.

Next, in step S103, the CPU 41 determines three cards to be dealt to each of the players and two cards common among all the players, out of a single set of playing cards, using random numbers. The cards determined to be dealt to the player in step S103 correspond to the player's cards according to the present invention, while the cards common among all the players correspond to the community cards according to the present invention. Further, card images indicative of the two community cards are displayed facing down to a front display 21 (see FIG. 2) included in the gaming machine 1.

Next, in step S104, the CPU 41 transmits player's cards information to the station 3. The player's cards information includes information indicative of the types of the cards (ranks and suits [heart, club, spade, diamond]) determined to be dealt to the player. The station 3 displays card images indicative of the three player's cards to a liquid crystal display 10 (see FIG. 3), based on the received player's cards information, and accepts an input for selecting whether to pull it down or to let it ride.

Next, in step S105, the CPU 41 receives selection information from the station 3. The selection information is information indicating whether the player has pulled it down or let it ride. When the player has pulled it down, the CPU 41 subtracts the one third of the total amount of the credits normal-BET by the player from the player's normal-BET credits stored in the RAM 42, and stores the remaining credits into the RAM 42.

Next, in step S106, the CPU 41 displays a card image indicative of one of the community cards with its face up, to the front display 21.

Next, in step S107, the CPU 41 transmits, to the station 3, a signal (hereinafter also referred to as a selection-instructing signal) for instructing acceptance of a selection as to whether to pull it down or let it ride.

In the station 3, when the selection-instructing signal is received, an input of the selection as to whether to pull it down or let it ride is accepted to the station 3.

Next, in step S108, the CPU 41 receives selection information after opening of one of the community cards, from the station 3.

When the player has pulled it down, the CPU 41 subtracts the one third of the total amount of the credits normal-BET by the player from the player's normal-BET credits stored in the RAM 42, and stores the remaining credits into the RAM 42.

Next, in step S109, the CPU 41 displays a card image indicating the one remaining community card with its face up to the front display 21.

Next, in step S110, the CPU 41 determines the hand of each player. Specifically, the CPU 41 determines, with respect to each of the players, the strongest hand makable by using the three player's cards and the two community cards.

Next, in step S111, the CPU 41 transmits information (hereinafter also referred to as result information) indicating a result of Let It Ride to the station 3 based on the result of the determination in step S110. The result information includes information indicating the strongest hand makable from the player's cards and the community cards.

In the station 3, when the result information is received, an image indicating the makable strongest hand is displayed to the liquid crystal display 10.

Next, in step S112, the CPU 41 transmits normal BET payout information to the station 3. The normal BET payout information is information indicative of the value of a credit (currency value) to be paid out for a normal BET. Specifically, in a case where the strongest hand makable from the player's cards and the community cards is Royal Flush, at the point of opening of the two community cards, the CPU 41 transmits information indicating a credit value 100 times as large as the value of credits normal-BET by the player (hereinafter also referred to as a final number of normal BETs) which is stored in the RAM 42; in the case of Straight Flush, the CPU 41 transmits information indicating a credit 50 times as large as the final number of normal BETs; in the case of Four of a Kind, the CPU 41 transmits information indicating a credit 20 times as large as the final number of normal BETs; in the case of Full House, Flush or Straight, the CPU 41 transmits information indicating a credit ten times as large as the final number of normal BETs; and in a case of Three of a Kind, Two Pair, or One Pair of “10”s or stronger, the CPU 41 transmits information indicating a credit twice as large as the final number of normal BETs. Further, in a case in which the hand is weaker than One Pair of “10”s, the CPU 41 transmits information indicating that a credit to be offered is zero.

Next, in step S113 in FIG. 1B, the CPU 41 determines whether or not a signal indicative of the strongest hand makable in Let It Ride being weaker than a predetermined strength (in the present embodiment, One Pair of “10”s) and a side BETs being placed (hereinafter, also referred to as a side BET signal) is received from the station 3. When the CPU 41 determines that no side BET signal is received, the present main-control-portion-side processing ends.

On the other hand, when the CPU 41 determines that a side BET signal is received, the CPU 41 determines, in step S114, one card to be added to the community cards, using a random number. The card determined in step S114 corresponds to the additional community card in the present invention.

Next, in step S115, the CPU 41 displays the additional card determined in step S114 to the front display 21 with its face up.

Next, in step S116, the CPU 41 conducts a hand determination. More specifically, the CPU 41 determines the strongest hand makable by using three player's cards and three community cards including the additional card, with respect to the player of the station 3 from which the side BET signal is transmitted.

Next, in step S117, the CPU 41 transmits result information based on the result of determination in step S116, to the station 3.

The station 3, on receiving the result information, displays an image indicative of the makable strongest hand to the liquid crystal display 10.

Next, in step S118, the CPU 41 transmits JP payout information to the station 3. The JP payout information is information indicative of the value of a JP credit (the currency value) to be paid out for the side BET. More specifically, the CPU 41 transmits information indicative of a credit value corresponding to a full amount of a JP in the case in which the strongest hand makable by using the player's cards and the community cards is Royal Flush, information indicative of the credit value corresponding to 50% of the JP in the case in which the strongest hand is Straight Flush, and information indicative of the credit value corresponding to 20% of the JP in the case in which the strongest hand is Four of a Kind. Further, the CPU 41 transmits information indicative of the credit value corresponding to 10% of the JP in the case in which the strongest hand is Full House, Flush, or Straight, and information indicative of the credit value corresponding to 5% of the JP in the case in which the strongest hand is Three of a Kind, Two Pair, or One Pair of “10”s or stronger. Also, when the strength of the strongest hand is weaker than One Pair of “10”s, the CPU 41 transmits information indicating that the value of credits to be offered is 0.

It should be noted that, in the present invention, the correspondence between the amount of JP to be offered and the hand is not limited thereto.

Further, in the present embodiment, a payout (JP) is offered only when the player's hand is One Pair of “10”s or stronger. However, in the present invention, a payout may be offered even in the case in which the player's hand is weaker than One Pair of “10”s.

After the execution of the processing in step S118, the present main-control-portion-side processing ends.

Next, there will be described the gaming machine 1 according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the external structure of the gaming machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the gaming machine 1 is basically comprised of a main monitor 2 and five stations 3 (stations 3 a to 3 e). Further, while, in the present embodiment, there will be described a case where the gaming machine 1 comprises a plurality of (five) stations 3, the number of stations included in a gaming machine may be one, in the present invention.

At the center portion of the main monitor 2, there is provided a front display 21 for displaying images indicating a dealer, cards and an amount of JP. The front display 21 corresponds to a display according to the present invention. Further, on the upper side of the main monitor 2, there are provided a plurality of speakers 22 for outputting music and an effect sound along with the progression of a game executed in the gaming machine 1 and a plurality of LEDs 23 which are lighted during various types of effects.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically illustrating the external structure of a station included in the gaming machine illustrated in FIG. 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, at the center of the upper surface of the station 3, there is provided a liquid crystal display 10 for displaying an image relating to an operation (see FIG. 6) and the like as will be described later. The liquid crystal display 10 corresponds to a display according to the present invention. Further, on the upper surface of the liquid crystal display 10, there is provided a touch panel 11 for inputting an operation for a BET and the like. The touch panel 11 corresponds an input device according to the present invention.

In front of the liquid crystal display 10, there are provided a plurality of operation buttons 12 for performing a payout operation, and a coin insertion slot 13 for inserting a coin or a medal thereto.

At the right end of the upper portion of the front surface of the station 3, there is provided a bill insertion slot 14 for inserting a bill thereto. Below the bill insertion slot 14, there is provided a coin payout exit 15 for paying out the number of coins or medals corresponding to the accumulated credit to the player, when a payout operation is performed.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are views illustrating an exemplary image which is displayed to the front display included in a gaming machine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary image displayed to the front display 21 when Let It Ride, on which the normal BET is to be placed, is executed. As illustrated in FIG. 4, at an upper portion of the front display 21, there is provided a JP display portion 33 for displaying an amount of JP. Further, the front display 21 displays a dealer image 30 indicating a dealer (banker), a table image 31 indicating a table, and card images 32 indicating two community cards. The card images 32 are displayed facing down, when community cards are placed on the table.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary image displayed to the front display 21 when a card is added to the community cards on condition that the side BET has been placed, in a case where the hand with strength as strong as or stronger than a predetermined strength has not been established in Let It Ride, on which the normal BET is to be placed.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, a card image 34 illustrating an additional community card is displayed to the front display 21.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating an exemplary image which is displayed to a liquid crystal display included in a station according to the first embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, at an upper portion of the liquid crystal display 10, there are provided a player's cards display portion 80 for displaying player's cards. To the player's cards display portion 80, card images 81 illustrating player's cards are displayed face up. On the right side of the player's cards display portion 80, there are provided a Let It Ride button 82 for determining to let it ride and a Pull Down button 83 for determining the to pull it down. The player can determine whether to let it ride or pull it down by operating the Let It Ride button 82 and Pull Down button 83 through the touch panel 11.

Under the player's cards display portion 80, there is provided a BET button display portion 84. To the BET button display portion 84, there are displayed BET buttons 85 for inputting the number of BETs. The player can input the number of normal BETs and the number of side BETs by operating the BET buttons 85 through the touch panel 11.

On the right side of the BET button display portion 84, there is provided a number-of-normal-BETs display portion 86 for displaying the number of coins being betted as a normal BET. In the number-of-normal-BETs display portion 86, three betting circles 87 are provided, and there are displayed the numbers of coins BET on each of the betting circles 87. In FIG. 6, 20 coins are BET on each of the betting circles 87, and the total number of normal BETs displayed is 60.

On the right side of the number-of-normal-BETs display portion 86, there is provided a number-of-side-BETs display portion 88 for displaying the number of coins betted as a side BET. FIG. 6 illustrates that 20 coins are BET.

On the lower side of the number-of-side-BETs display portion 88, there is provided the number-of-credits display portion 89. FIG. 6 illustrates that 500 coins are being credited.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the internal structure of the gaming machine illustrated in FIG. 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the main control portion 40 provided in the gaming machine 1 comprises a microcomputer 45 as the core, which basically includes a CPU 41, a RAM 42, a ROM 43, a timer 95, and a bus 44 for transferring data mutually among these devices. The main control portion 40 corresponds to a controller according to the present invention.

The ROM 43 stores various types of programs for conducting processing necessary for controlling the gaming machine 1, a data table and the like. The RAM 42 is a memory for temporarily storing various types of data calculated in the CPU 41. Further, the RAM 42 cumulatively stores credit data corresponding to a predetermined ratio (50% in the present embodiment) of a side-BET credit. Further, the timer 95 conducts time measurement.

Further, the CPU 41 is connected to an image processing circuit 47, a sound circuit 48, an LED driving circuit 49 and a communication interface 50 through an I/O interface 46.

The front display 21 included in the main monitor 2 is connected to the image processing circuit 47. The plurality of speakers 22 included in the main monitor 2 are connected to the sound circuit 48. The LEDs 23 included in the main monitor 2 are connected to the LED driving circuit 49. The five stations 3 are connected to the communication interface 50.

The CPU 41 progresses a game (Let It Ride and a game executed on condition that a side BET is placed) which is executed in the gaming machine 1, based on game programs (including a program for Let It Ride and a program for a game executed on condition that a side BET is placed) stored in the ROM 43 and various types of signals received from the stations 3. Further, the CPU 41 displays an image to the front display 21, outputs sound from the plurality of speakers 22 and lights the LEDs 23, based on the above-mentioned game programs. Further, the CPU 41 transmits various types of signals to the respective stations 3, based on the above-mentioned game programs.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating the internal structure of a station included in the gaming machine illustrated in FIG. 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the station 3 includes, as the core, a microcomputer 55 which is basically comprised of a CPU 51, a RAM 52, a ROM 53, and a bus 54 for transferring data mutually among these devices.

The ROM 53 stores various types of programs for conducting processing necessary for controlling the station 3, data tables and the like. Further, the RAM 52 temporarily stores the number of credits currently accumulated in the station 3 and various types of data calculated in the CPU 51.

Further, the CPU 51 is connected to a liquid crystal panel driving circuit 57, a touch panel driving circuit 58, a hopper driving circuit 59, a payout completion signal circuit 60, an inserted-coin detecting signal circuit 67, a bill detecting signal circuit 64, an operation signal circuit 66 and a communication interface 61, through an I/O interface 56.

A liquid crystal display 10 is connected to the liquid crystal panel driving circuit 57. A touch panel 11 is connected to the touch panel driving circuit 58. A hopper 62 is connected to the hopper driving circuit 59. A coin detecting portion 63 is connected to the payout completion signal circuit 60. An inserted-coin detecting portion 68 is connected to the inserted-coin detecting signal circuit 67. A bill detecting portion 65 is connected to the bill detecting signal circuit 64. An operation button 12 is connected to the operation signal circuit 66.

The hopper 62 is provided inside the station 3 and pays out a coin through the coin payout exit 15 based on a control signal outputted from the CPU 51.

The coin detecting portion 63 is provided inside the coin payout exit 15 and transmits a signal to the CPU 51 on detecting a predetermined number of coins being paid out through the coin payout exit 15.

The inserted-coin detecting portion 68, on detecting a coin being inserted from the coin insertion slot 13, detects the value of the coin and transmits a detecting signal indicative of the detected value to the CPU 51. The detected value of the coin is counted regarding a predetermined value defined as 1 credit and is stored in the RAM 52.

The bill detecting portion 65, on accepting a bill, detects the value of the bill and transmits a detecting signal indicative of the detected value to the CPU 51. The detected value of the bill is counted regarding a predetermined value defined as 1 credit and is stored in the RAM 52.

The operation button 12 is a button for performing payout operations, when payout of the coin is determined.

Next, there will be described processing conducted in the main control portion 40 and the station 3. The processing in the main control portion 40 has been already described with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B. Therefore, only the processing conducted in the station 3 will be described.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are flow charts illustrating the station-side processing which is conducted in a station according to the first embodiment.

First, in step S201 in FIG. 9A, the CPU 51 included in the station 3 accepts inputs of a normal BET and a side BET, on receiving a signal from the touch panel 11, indicative of the detection of a contact, or a signal from the inserted-coin detecting portion 68, indicative of the detection of the coin insertion. This enables the player to input a normal BET and a side BET through the touch panel 11 included in the station 3.

Next, in step S202, the CPU 51 transmits BET information, which is information on the inputted BET, to the main control portion 40. The main control portion 40, on receiving the BET information, cumulatively stores 50% of the side-BET credit as a JP in the RAM 42 (see step S102 in FIG. 1A).

Next, in step S203, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the side BET has been placed. When determining that the side BET has not been placed, the CPU 51 shifts the processing to step S205.

On the other hand, when determining that the side BET has been placed, the CPU 51 sets a side BET flag in step S204. The side BET flag is a flag indicating that the side BET has been placed.

Next, in step S205, the CPU 51 receives player's cards information indicative of the cards to be dealt to the player, from the main control portion 40.

Next, in step S206, the CPU 51 displays card images indicative of the three player's cards to the player's cards display portion 80 in the liquid crystal display 10, based on the player's cards information received in step S205.

Next, in step S207, the CPU 51 conducts selection acceptance processing. This processing is processing for accepting a selection as to whether to let it ride or pull it down from the player, and will be described in detail later by using FIG. 10.

Next, in step S208, the CPU 51 receives selection-instructing signal from the main control portion 40.

Next, in step S209, the CPU 51 conducts selection acceptance processing.

Next, in step S210, the CPU 51 receives the result information transmitted from the main control portion 40 in step S111 in FIG. 1A. Subsequently, the CPU 51 displays, to the liquid crystal display 10, an image indicating the makable strongest hand based on the received result information, for a predetermined period of time (10 seconds in the present embodiment).

Next, in step S211, the CPU 51 receives normal BET payout information from the main control portion 40. On receiving the normal BET payout information, the CPU 51 stores, in the RAM 52, credit data based on the normal BET payout information.

Next, in step S212, the CPU 51 pays out a credit based on the normal BET payout information received in step S211. The processing for paying out a credit based on the normal BET payout information from the main control portion 40 corresponds to processing for offering a payout based on a hand and a normal BET, according to the present invention.

Next, in step S213 in FIG. 8B, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the strength of the makable player's hand in Let It Ride is as strong as or stronger than the predetermined strength (in the present embodiment, One Pair of “10”s). When the CPU 51 determines that the strength of the player's hand is as strong as or stronger than the predetermined strength, the present subroutine ends.

On the other hand, when determining that the strength of the player's hand is weaker than the predetermined strength, the CPU 51 determines, in step S214, whether or not the side BET flag is turned “ON” (the side BET flag is set). When the CPU 51 determines that the side BET flag is not turned “ON”, the present subroutine ends.

On the other hand, when determining that the side BET flag is turned “ON”, the CPU 51 transmits, in step S215, a side BET signal indicating that the strength of the strongest hand makable in Let It Ride is weaker than the predetermined strength and that the side BET is placed to the main control portion 40.

Next, in step S216, the CPU 51 receives the result information transmitted in step S117 in FIG. 1B, from the main control portion 40. Then, the CPU 51 displays, to the liquid crystal display 10, an image indicative of the makable strongest hand for a predetermined time period (10 seconds, in the present embodiment), based on the received result information.

Next, in step S217, the CPU 51 receives JP payout information from the main control portion 40. On receiving the JP payout information, the CPU 51 stores, in the RAM 52, credit data based on the JP payout information.

Next, in step S218, the CPU 51 pays out a credit based on the JP payout information received in step S217.

The processing for paying out a credit based on the JP payout information from the main control portion 40 corresponds to processing for offering a payout based on the made hand and the side BET, according to the present invention.

After the execution of the processing in step S218, the present subroutine ends.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating a subroutine of the selection acceptance processing conducted in the station according to the first embodiment. The selection acceptance processing is the processing executed in step S207 and step S209 in FIG. 9A.

In step S301, the CPU 51 accepts a selection as to whether to let it ride or pull it down. This enables the player to choose whether to let it ride or pull it down through the touch panel 11.

Next, in step S302, the CPU 51 transmits the selection information to the main control portion 40 as information indicating whether the player has let it ride or pulled it down.

After executing the processing of step S302, the present subroutine ends.

As described above, the gaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment comprises: the front display 21 and the liquid crystal display 10 (display), which are capable of displaying a plurality of cards; the touch panel 11 (the input device); and the main control portion 40 (controller). The main control portion 40 is programmed to conduct the following processing of: (a) accepting a side BET different from a normal BET, from the touch panel 11; (b) cumulatively accumulating a predetermined ratio (50%) of a side-BET currency value; (c) displaying three player's cards dealt to the player to the liquid crystal display 10; (d) displaying two community cards placed on a table to the front display 21; (e) determining whether or not the side BET is placed; (f) displaying an additional community card to the front display 21, when determining that the side BET is placed; (g) making a hand by using the three player's cards and the three community cards including the one card added in processing (f); and (h) offering a payout from the cumulatively accumulated currency value, based on the hand made in processing (g).

While, in the present embodiment, there has been described a case where the card game is played using the gaming machine 1, the card game may be played without using a gaming machine (for example, a banker and a player play a game around an actual table) in the present invention. In this case, there may be employed a playing method of a card game comprising the following steps of: (a) placing a side BET different from a normal BET; (b) cumulatively accumulating a predetermined ratio of a side-BET currency value; (c) dealing cards to a player; (d) placing cards on a table; (e) determining whether or not the side BET is placed; (f) adding a card on the table, when determining that the side BET is placed; (g) making a hand by using the cards dealt to the player and the cards placed on the table; and (h) offering a payout from the cumulatively accumulated currency value, based on the hand made in step (g)

Second Embodiment

Next, there will be described a gaming machine according to a second embodiment. In the following description, components corresponding to those of the roulette gaming machine according to the first embodiment will be designated by the same reference characters.

In the second embodiment, Hold'em poker is played. Here, the rule of Hold'em poker is described.

In Hold'em Poker, one set of playing cards (52 cards) excluding a joker is used.

First, a dealer deals two cards to each player. Each player looks at his or her dealt cards and then chooses which action to take: to BET chips (hereinafter also simply referred to as to BET), to BET the same amount of chips as the BET placed by the previous player (hereinafter also referred to as to call), to raise the amount of chips to be BET (hereinafter also referred to as to raise), and to finish the game without placing a BET (hereinafter also referred to as to fold). In the following, such a selection is called BET selection.

Next, the dealer opens three cards (called flop) out of cards in the hand. At this point, each player makes a BET selection.

Next, the dealer opens a fourth card (called turn). Each player makes a BET selection.

Next, the dealer opens a fifth card (called river). Each player makes a BET selection.

Next, all the cards (cards initially dealt) in the hand of a player remaining in the game are opened (called showdown), and each player combines the two cards in the hand and three cards out of the dealer's five cards, to make a hand. The hands of the respective players are compared and all the BET chips are offered to a player who has established the strongest hand.

The hands in Hold'em poker include, in decreasing order of strength, Royal Flush, Straight Flush, Four of a Kind, Full House, Flush, Straight, Three of a Kind, Two Pair, One Pair, and No Pair.

The cards dealt to the player correspond to the player's cards in the present invention, and the cards common among all the players, including flop, turn and river, correspond to the community cards in the present invention.

In the second embodiment, the normal BET and the side BET are accepted in Hold'em poker. Here, the normal BET is a BET placed on a game of Hold'em poker, which includes a BET, a call and a raise. The side BET is a BET placed for adding a card to community cards in Hold'em poker. A predetermined ratio (50% in the present embodiment) of a side-BET currency value is cumulatively accumulated as a jackpot (hereinafter also referred to as JP). In Hold'em poker, a player who has made the strongest hand among all the players wins, and all the normal-BET chips are offered to the winning player. In a case where the side BET has been placed, one card is added to the community cards, and a player who has lost the game can remake a hand by using the community cards including the additional card and the dealt cards. A JP is offered to each player according to the established hand.

The gaming machine according to the second embodiment has the same external appearance, circuit structures and the like as those of the gaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, description thereof will not be repeated. Hereinafter, there will be described processing conducted in the main control portion included in the gaming machine, an image displayed to the display, and processing conducted in the station.

First, there is described the processing conducted in the main control portion 40 included in the gaming machine 1 according to the second embodiment.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are flow charts illustrating the main-control-portion-side processing conducted in the main control portion included in the gaming machine according to the second embodiment.

In step S401 in FIG. 11A, the CPU 41 receives side BET information from the station 3. Side BET information is information on the side BET, and includes information indicating whether or not the side BET has been placed and information indicating the amount of the side BET.

Next, in step S402, the CPU 41 cumulatively stores 50% of a side-BET credit as a JP into the RAM 42 based on the side BET information received in step S401.

Next, in step S403, the CPU 41 determines two cards each to be dealt to the respective players, out of one set of playing cards, by using random numbers.

Next, in step S404, the CPU 41 transmits the player's cards information to the station 3. The player's cards information includes types (ranks and suits [heart, club, spade, and diamond]) of the cards determined to be dealt to the player in step S403.

In the station 3, card images indicating two player's cards are displayed to the liquid crystal display 10, based on the received player's cards information, and an input of a BET selection is accepted.

Next, in step S405, the CPU 41 receives BET selection information from the station 3. The BET selection information includes information indicating which action the player has chosen out of a BET, a call or a raise, and information indicating the amount of credits normal-BET by the player. The CPU 41 cumulatively stores the credit of the normal BET placed by each player.

Next, in step S406, the CPU 41 determines three cards as flop by using random numbers, and displays card images facing up to the front display 21, the card images indicating the determined three cards.

Next, in step S407, the CPU 41 transmits a flop determination signal indicating that the flop is determined, to the station 3.

In the station 3, when a flop determination signal is received, an input of the BET selection is accepted.

Next, in the step S408, the CPU 41 receives BET selection information from the station 3 after the flop determination. The CPU 41 cumulatively stores the credit of the normal BET of each player into the RAM 42, based on the received selection information.

Next, in step S409, the CPU 41 determines one card as the turn by using a random number and displays the determined card face up to the front display 21.

Next, in step S410, the CPU 41 transmits a turn determination signal indicating that the turn is determined, to the station 3.

In the station 3, when the turn determination signal is received, an input of the BET selection is accepted.

Next, in step S411, the CPU 41 receives the BET selection information after the turn determination, from the station 3. The CPU 41 cumulatively stores the credit of the normal BET of each player into the RAM 42, based on the received information.

Next, in step S412 in FIG. 11B, the CPU 41 determines one card as the river by using a random number, and displays the determined card face up to the front display 21.

Next, in step S413, the CPU 41 transmits a river determination signal indicating that the river is determined, to the station 3.

In the station 3, when the river determination signal is received, an input of the BET selection is accepted.

Next, in step S414, the CPU 41 receives the BET selection information from the station 3 after the river determination. The CPU 41 cumulatively stores the credit of the normal BET of each player into the RAM 42, based on the received selection information.

Next, in step S415, the CPU 41 executes showdown processing.

Specifically, the CPU 41 displays two cards each dealt to the player of each station 3 to a player information display portion 36 (see FIG. 12) corresponding to each station 3.

Next, in step S416, the CPU 41 compares hands.

Specifically, the strongest hand among the makable hands by combining the two cards dealt to one player and the three cards out of the five community cards (flop, turn and river) is determined as the hand of the player. After conducting the same processing on all of the remaining players in the game, the CPU 41 determines the player having the strongest hand by comparing the hands of each of the players.

Next, in step S417, the CPU 41 transmits the normal BET payout information to the station 3. The normal BET payout information is information indicating a credit (currency value) amount to be paid out for a normal BET. Specifically, information indicating a full amount of the credit of the normal BET cumulatively stored in the RAM 42 is transmitted to the station 3 of the player who has been determined to have the strongest hand in step S416. Namely, the currency value normal-BET by all the players is all offered to the winning player in the Hold'em poker. Further, information indicative of a credit value to be offered being zero is transmitted to the station 3 of the player who has lost the game.

In the present embodiment, the case has been described where the currency value normal-BET by all the players is all offered to the winning player. However, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the normal-BET currency value may be offered to each player based on the established hand.

Next, in step S418, the CPU 41 determines whether or not a signal indicative of the player having lost the game of Hold'em poker and a side BET being placed (hereinafter also referred to as side BET signal) is received from a station 3. When the CPU 41 determines that no side BET signal is received, the present main-control-portion-side processing ends.

Next, in step S419, the CPU 41 determines one card to be added to the community cards by using a random number, and displays the determined card to the front display 21. The card determined in step S419 corresponds to the additional card according to the present invention.

Next in step S420, the CPU 41 conducts a hand determination. Specifically, the CPU 41 determines the strongest hand makable by using the two player's cards and the six community cards including the additional card, with respect to the player at the station 3 from which the side BET signal has been transmitted.

Next, in step S421, the CPU 41 transmits the result information to the station 3 based on a result of the determination in step S420. The result information includes information indicating the strongest hand makable from the player's cards and the community cards.

In the station 3, when the result information is received, an image indicating the makable strongest hand is displayed to the liquid crystal display 10.

Next, in step S422, the CPU 41 transmits JP payout information to the station 3. JP payout information is information indicating a credit (currency value) amount of a JP to be paid out for the side BET. More specifically, the CPU 41 transmits information indicative of a credit value corresponding to a full amount of a JP in the casein which the strongest hand makable by using the player's cards and the community cards is Royal Flush, information indicative of the credit value corresponding to 50% of the JP in the case in which the makable strongest hand is Straight Flush, and information indicative of the credit value corresponding to 20% of the JP in the case in which the makable strongest hand is Four of a Kind. Further, the CPU 41 transmits information indicative of the credit value corresponding to 10% of the JP in the case in which the strongest hand is Full House, Flush, or Straight, and information indicative of the credit value corresponding to 5% of the JP in the case in which the strongest hand is Three of a Kind, Two Pair, or One Pair of “10”s or stronger. Also, when the strength of the strongest hand is weaker than One Pair of “10”s, the CPU 41 transmits information indicating that the value of credits to be offered is 0.

It should be noted that, in the present invention, the correspondence between the amount of JP to be offered and the hand is not limited to the above-mentioned example.

Further, in the present embodiment, a payout (JP) is offered only when the player's hand is One Pair of “10”s or stronger. However, in the present invention, a payout may be offered even in the case in which the strength of the player's hand is weaker than One Pair of “10”s.

After executing the processing in step S422, the present main-control-portion-side processing ends.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are views illustrating an exemplary image displayed to the front display provided in the gaming machine according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary image displayed to the front display 21 when a game of Hold'em poker, on which the normal BET is to be placed, is executed. As illustrated in FIG. 12, on the upper side of the front display 21, there is provided the JP display portion 33 for displaying an amount of a JP. Further, to the front display 21, the dealer image 30 indicating a dealer, the table image 31 indicating a table, and card images 35 illustrating community cards (flop, turn and river) are displayed.

Moreover, on the lower side of the front display 21, a player information display portion 36 is provided for displaying cards dealt to the players and the number of BET of the players. Alphabets A to E displayed to the player information display portion 36 respectively correspond to stations 3 a to 3 e (see FIG. 2) provided in the gaming machine 1. The player information display portion 36 displays the players' cards and the number of BETs (number of normal BETs) of each player as illustrated in FIG. 12.

FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary image displayed to the front display 21 when a card is added to the community cards on condition that the side BET has been placed.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, a card image 37 indicating an additional community card is displayed. Further, to the “A”, “B” and “E” in the player information display portion 36, there are displayed images indicating the player's cards, which shows that the players of the stations 3 a, 3 b and 3 e have taken part in the game which is played on condition that the side BET has been placed.

FIG. 14 illustrates an exemplary image displayed to a liquid crystal display provided in the station according to the second embodiment.

As illustrated in FIG. 14, a player's card display portion 101 for displaying player's cards is provided on the upper side of the liquid crystal display 10. To the player's card display portion 101, card images 102 showing player's cards face up are displayed. On the right side with respect to the player's card display portion 101, there are provided a BET button 108 for determining to BET, a call button 109 for determining to call, a raise button 110 for determining to raise, and a fold button 111 for determining to fold. The player can conduct a BET selection by operating those buttons through the touch panel 11.

A BET button display portion 103 is provided on the lower side with respect to the player's card display portion 101. To the BET button display portion 103, BET buttons 104 for inputting the number of BETs are displayed. The player can input the number of normal BETs and the number of side BETs by operating the BET buttons 104 through the touch panel 11.

On the right side with respect to the BET button display portion 103, a number-of-normal-BETs display portion 105 for displaying the number of normal-BET coins is provided. FIG. 14 indicates that 40 coins have been BET.

On the lower side with respect to the number-of-normal-BETs display portion 105, there is provided a number-of-side-BETs display portion 106 for displaying the number of side-BET coins. FIG. 14 indicates that 20 coins have been BET.

On the right side with respect to the number-of-side-BETs display portion 106, there is provided a number-of-credits display portion 107. FIG. 14 indicates that 500 coins have been credited.

Next, processing executed in the station 3 is described.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are flow charts illustrating a subroutine of station side processing executed in the station according to the second embodiment.

First, in step S501 in FIG. 15A, the CPU 51 included in the station 3 accepts an input of a side BET, on receiving a signal from the touch panel 11, indicative of the detection of a contact, or a signal from the inserted-coin detecting portion 68, indicative of the detection of the coin insertion. This enables the player to input a side BET through the touch panel 11 included in the station 3.

Next, in step S502, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the side BET has been placed. When determining that the side BET has not been placed, the CPU 51 shifts the processing to step S505.

On the other hand, when determining that the side BET has been placed, the CPU 51 transmits side BET information, which is the information about the side BET, to the main control portion 40 in step S503.

In the main control portion 40, when the side BET information is received, 50% of the side-BET credit is cumulatively stored as a JP into the RAM 42.

Next, in step S504, the CPU 51 sets a side BET flag. The side BET flag is a flag indicating that the side BET has been placed.

Next, in step S505, the CPU 51 receives the player's cards information from the main control portion 40.

Next, in step S506, the CPU 51 displays, to the liquid crystal display 10, card images indicating cards determined to be dealt to the player, based on the player's cards information received in step S505 (See FIG. 14).

Next, in step S507, the CPU 51 conducts BET selection acceptance processing. This processing is to accept an input of a BET selection from the player, and later described in details by using FIG. 16.

Next, in step S508, the CPU 51 receives a flop determination signal indicating that the flop has been determined, from the main control portion 40.

Next, in step S509, the CPU 51 conducts the BET selection acceptance processing.

Next, in step S510, the CPU 51 receives a turn determination signal indicating that a turn has been determined, from the main control portion 40.

Next, in step S511, the CPU 51 conducts the BET selection acceptance processing.

Next, in step S512 in FIG. 15B, the CPU 51 receives a river determination signal indicating that the river has been determined, from the main control portion 40.

Next, in step S513, the CPU 51 conducts the BET selection acceptance processing.

Next, in step S514, the CPU 51 receives the normal BET payout information from the main control portion 40. When the CPU 51 receives the normal BET payout information, the CPU 51 stores credit data based on the normal BET payout information, into the RAM 52.

Next, in step S515, the CPU 51 conducts a payout of a credit, based on the normal BET payout information received in step S514.

Next, in step S516, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the player of the station 3 has won the game of Hold'em poker. When the CPU 51 determines that the player of the station 3 has won the game, the present subroutine ends.

On the other hand, when determining that the player of the station 3 has not won the game, the CPU 51 determines whether or not the side BET flag is “ON” (the side BET flag has been set) in step S517. When the CPU 51 determines that the side BET flag is not “ON”, the present subroutine ends.

On the other hand, when determining that the side BET flag is “ON”, in step S518, the CPU 51 transmits a side BET signal, which is a signal indicative of the player having lost the game of Hold'em poker and the side BET having been placed, is transmitted to the main control portion 40.

Next, in step S519, the CPU 51 receives, from the main control portion 40, the result information transmitted in step S421 in FIG. 11B. Subsequently, the CPU 51 displays an image indicating the makable strongest hand to the liquid crystal display 10 for a predetermined period (10 seconds in the present embodiment), based on the received result information.

Next, in step S520, the CPU 51 receives JP payout information from the main control portion 40. When the CPU 51 receives the JP payout information, the CPU 51 stores credit data based on the JP payout information into the RAM 52.

Next, in step S521, the CPU 51 conducts the payout of the credit, based on the JP payout information received in step S520.

After executing the processing of step S520, the present subroutine ends.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart illustrating a subroutine of the BET selection acceptance processing executed in the station according to the second embodiment. The BET selection acceptance processing is processing executed in step S507, step S509 and step S511 in FIG. 15A and step S513 in FIG. 15B.

In step S601, the CPU 51 accepts a BET selection. This enables the player to input a BET selection through the touch panel 11.

In step S602, the CPU 51 transmits, to the main control portion 40, the BET selection information based on the input from the player.

After executing the processing of step S602, the present subroutine ends.

As described above, the gaming machine 1 according to the second embodiment comprises: the front display 21 and the liquid crystal display 10 (display), which are capable of displaying a plurality of cards; the touch panel 11 (the input device); and the main control portion 40 (controller). The main control portion 40 is programmed to conduct the following processing of: (a) accepting a side BET different from a normal BET, from the touch panel 11; (b) cumulatively accumulating a predetermined ratio (50%) of a side-BET currency value; (c) displaying two player's cards dealt to the player, to the liquid crystal display 10; (d) displaying five community cards (flop, turn and river) placed on a table, to the front display 21; (e) determining whether or not the side BET is placed; (f) displaying an additional community card to the front display 21, when determining that the side BET is placed; (g) making a hand by using the two player's cards and the six community cards including the one card added in the processing (f); and (h) offering a payout from the cumulatively accumulated currency value, based on the hand made in the processing (g)

While, in the present embodiment, there has been described a case where the card game is played using the gaming machine 1, the card game may be played without using a gaming machine (for example, a banker and a player may play a game around an actual table) in the present invention. In this case, there may be employed a playing method of a card game comprising the following steps of: (a) placing a side BET different from a normal BET; (b) cumulatively accumulating a predetermined ratio of a side-BET currency value; (c) dealing cards to a player; (d) placing cards on a table; (e) determining whether or not the side BET is placed; (f) adding a card on the table, when determining that the side BET is placed; (g) making a hand by using the cards dealt to the player and the cards placed on the table; and (h) offering a payout from the cumulatively accumulated currency value, based on the hand made in the step (g).

In the first embodiment, the case has been described where a card is added to the community cards on condition that the side BET is placed, when the strength of the strongest hand, which is makable from three player's cards and two community cards, is weaker than a predetermined strength. Further, in the second embodiment, the case has been described where a card is added to the community cards on condition that the side BET is placed, when the strength of the strongest hand, which is makable from two player's cards and five community cards, is not the strongest hand among the hands of the players participating in the game. Namely, in the first embodiment, the case has been described where a predetermined condition in the present invention is that the makable strongest hand is as strong as or stronger than the predetermined strength, and in the second embodiment, the case has been described where the predetermined condition in the present invention is that the makable strongest hand is the strongest among the hands of the players participating in the game. However, the predetermined condition in the present invention is not limited to these examples. For example, the predetermined condition may be that a hand makable from player's cards and community cards is a specific hand (e.g. Three of a Kind).

Further, in the first embodiment, the case has been described where five cards are selected to make a hand, out of a total of six cards, which are the three player's cards and the three community cards including the additional card. In the second embodiment, the case has been described where five cards are selected to make a hand, out of a total of eight cards, which are the two player's cards and the six community cards including the additional card. However, the present invention is not limited to these examples, and may, for example, be configured such that all of player's cards and community cards must be used in making of a hand.

Further, in the first embodiment, the case of playing Let It Ride by using three player's cards and two community cards (excluding an additional card) has been described, and in the second embodiment, the case of playing Hold'em poker by using two player's cards and five community cards (excluding an additional card) has been described. However, the card game in the present invention is not particularly limited so long as being a game where a hand is makable by using cards dealt to a player and cards placed on a table. Moreover, the number of cards dealt to the player, the number of cards placed on the table, and the number of cards selected from the cards on the table in making of a hand is not limited to the examples shown in the first and second embodiments.

Further, in both the first and second embodiments, the case has been described where the number of cards added to the community cards is one. However, in the present invention, the number of cards added on the table is not limited to one, and may be set as appropriate.

Further, in the first and second embodiments, the case of using playing cards has been described. However, the cards in the present invention are not limited to playing cards, and for example, tarot cards may be used.

Further, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, there have been described cases where 50% of side-BET credits are cumulatively accumulated as jackpot. However, in the present invention, the ratio (predetermined ratio) of a cumulatively accumulating currency value to the side-BET currency value is not limited thereto, but may be set as appropriate.

Further, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, credit data corresponding to 50% of a side-BET credit is cumulatively stored in the RAM 42 included in the main control portion 40. However, in the present invention, credit data corresponding to a predetermined ratio of the side-BET credit may be cumulatively stored in a RAM included in each station.

Further, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, there have been described cases where side-BET credit is cumulatively accumulated, and in a game played on condition that the side BET is placed, the payout is offered from the cumulatively accumulated credits. However, the present invention is not particularly limited to this example. For example, the payout may be offered from the banker's (e.g. manager of a recreation facility) currency value without accumulating a side-BET currency value.

Also, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, there have been described cases where players play a card game by viewing the main monitor 2 and the liquid crystal displays 10 included in the stations, the gaming machine according to the present invention is only required to include either a main monitor or liquid crystal displays (displays included in the stations). In the case of this structure, the cards on the table and the player's cards may be displayed together to the main monitor or the displays in the stations.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to embodiments thereof, these embodiments merely illustrate concrete examples, not restrict the present invention. The concrete structures of respective means and the like can be designed and changed as required. Furthermore, there have been merely described most preferable effects of the present invention, as the effects of the present invention, in the embodiments of the present invention. The effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in the embodiments of the present invention.

Further, in the aforementioned detailed description, characteristic portions have been mainly described, for ease of understanding the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in the aforementioned detailed description, but can be also applied to other embodiments over a wider range of applications. Further, the terms and phrases used in the present specification have been used for clearly describing the present invention, not for limiting the interpretation of the present invention. Further, those skilled in the art will easily conceive other structures, systems, methods and the like which are included in the concept of the present invention, from the concept of the present invention described in the present specification. Accordingly, the description of the claims is intended to include equivalent structures that fall within the technical scope of the invention. Further, the abstract aims at enabling engineers and the like who belong to the present technical field but are not familiar with the patent office and public institutions, the patent, law terms and technical terms to immediately understand the technical content and the essence of the present application through brief studies. Accordingly, the abstract is not intended to restrict the scope of the invention which should be evaluated from the description of the claims. It is desirable that literatures and the like which have been already disclosed are sufficiently studied and understood, in order to sufficiently understand the objects of the present invention and the specific effects of the present invention.

In the aforementioned detailed description, there have been described processes to be executed by computers. The aforementioned description and expressions have been described for the sake of enabling those skilled in the art to understand the present invention most effectively. In the present specification, each step for deriving a single result should be understood to be self-consistent processing. Further, each step includes transmission, reception, recording and the like of electric or magnetic signals. Although, in the processing at each step, such signals have been expressed as bits, values, symbols, characters, terms, numerical characters and the like, it should be noticed that they have been merely used for convenience of description. Further, although the processing at each step was described using expressions common to human behaviors in some cases, the processes described in the present specification are to be executed by various types of devices, in principle. Further, other structures required for conducting each step will be apparent from the aforementioned description. 

1. A playing method of a card game comprising the steps of: (a) placing a side BET different from a normal BET; (b) dealing cards to a player; (c) placing cards on a table; (d) determining whether or not the side BET is placed; (e) adding a card on the table, when determining that the side BET is placed; and (f) making a hand by using the cards dealt to the player and the cards placed on the table.
 2. The playing method of a card game according to claim 1, wherein said step (e) includes a step of: (e′) adding a card on the table, when a strongest hand, which is makable by using the cards dealt to the player and the cards placed on the table in said step (c), does not satisfy a predetermined condition and it is determined that the side BET is placed.
 3. A playing method of a card game comprising the steps of: (a) placing a side BET different from a normal BET; (b) cumulatively accumulating a predetermined ratio of a side-BET currency value; (c) dealing cards to a player; (d) placing cards on a table; (e) determining whether or not the side BET is placed; (f) adding a card on the table, when determining that the side BET is placed; (g) making a hand by using the cards dealt to the player and the cards placed on the table; and (h) providing an award from the cumulatively accumulated currency value, based on the hand made in said step (g).
 4. A playing method of a card game comprising the steps of: (a) placing a normal BET; (b) placing a side BET different from said normal BET; (c) dealing cards to a player; (d) placing cards on a table; (e) providing an award based on a strongest hand and the normal BET, when the strength of the strongest hand, which is makable by using the cards dealt to the player and the cards placed on the table in said step (d), is as strong as a predetermined strength or stronger than the predetermined strength; (f) determining whether or not the side BET is placed; (g) adding a card on the table, when the strength of the strongest hand, which is makable by using the cards dealt to the player and the cards placed on the table in said step (d), is weaker than the predetermined strength and it is determined that the side BET is placed; (h) making a hand by using the cards dealt to the player and the cards placed on the table; and (i) providing an award, based on the hand made in said step (h) and the side BET.
 5. A gaming machine comprising: a display capable of displaying a plurality of cards; an input device; and a controller, said controller programmed to conduct the processing of: (a) accepting a side BET different from a normal BET, from said input device; (b) displaying player's cards, which are cards dealt to a player, to said display; (c) displaying community cards, which are cards placed on a table, to said display; (d) determining whether or not the side BET is placed; (e) displaying an additional community card to said display, when determining that the side BET is placed; and (f) making a hand by using said player's cards and said community cards including the card added in said processing (e).
 6. The gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein said processing (e) includes a step of: (e′) displaying an additional community card to said display, when a strongest hand, which is makable by using said player's cards and said community cards, does not satisfy a predetermined condition and it is determined that the side BET is placed.
 7. A gaming machine comprising: a display capable of displaying a plurality of cards; an input device; and a controller, said controller programmed to conduct the processing of: (a) accepting a side BET different from a normal BET, from said input device; (b) cumulatively accumulating a predetermined ratio of a side-BET currency value; (c) displaying player's cards, which are cards dealt to a player, to said display; (d) displaying community cards, which are cards placed on a table, to said display; (e) determining whether or not the side BET is placed; (f) displaying an additional community card to said display, when determining that the side BET is placed; (g) making a hand by using said player's cards and said community cards including the card added in said processing (f); and (h) providing an award from the cumulatively accumulated currency value, based on the hand made in said processing (g).
 8. A gaming machine comprising: a display capable of displaying a plurality of cards; an input device; and a controller, said controller programmed to conduct the processing of: (a) accepting a normal BET from said input device; (b) accepting a side BET different from said normal BET, from said input device; (c) displaying player's cards, which are cards dealt to a player, to said display; (d) displaying community cards, which are cards placed on a table, to said display; (e) providing an award based on a strongest hand and the normal BET, when the strength of the strongest hand, which is makable by using said player's cards and said community cards, is as strong as a predetermined strength or stronger than the predetermined strength; (f) determining whether or not the side BET is placed; (g) displaying an additional community card to said display, when the strength of the strongest hand, which is makable by using said player's cards and said community cards, is weaker than the predetermined strength and it is determined that the side BET is placed; (h) making a hand by using said player's cards and said community cards including the card added in said processing (g); and (i) providing an award, based on the hand made in said processing (h) and the side BET. 